A Posse of Peeps

One of my favorites things about Christmas is that I seem to get together with most of my friends during the month of December. And we usually eat. (Isn't that part of the "merry" of Christmas?) This year I had tea with a my dear friend, Marti. She brought me a basket of homemade biscotti that looked like they came straight of biscotti bakery. Delicious!

One of the highlights was getting together with my Tuesday night Bible study group. We are a posse of peeps who love each other dearly. This summer we traveled to Myrtle Beach to laugh and sun together. For Christmas we went out to a fancy restaurant to exchange laughter and calories.

I pray that every one of my blogger friends finds a "posse of peeps" to love, laugh, and live life together in 2009.

God Bless Us Everyone!

It's Christmas Eve. My family is preparing to go to church and have our traditional potato soup. Another one of our traditions is to watch A Christmas Carol Our favorite version is the one with George C. Scott. He makes a mean bitter-hearted Scrooge. The story begins with Mr. Scrooge seeing the face of his dead partner, Marley, in a door knocker. Creepy! A couple of years ago we were in London and I found a "Scrooge" door knocker. I took a picture and think it is a perfect example of Scrooge's experience.

By the end of tale,Scrooge has changed his heart toward God and his fellow man. In the end of story he is described by author Charles Dickens as "Scrooge was better than his word. He became as good a friend, as good a master and as good a man as the good old city knew...Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the onset.

Tonight as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let the world laugh at us. Yet let's invite them to Christmas service with us. Let's be kind-hearted. Let's be generous in callous world. Let's proclaim the good news of Jesus--the Baby, our Savior.


And as Tiny Tim,the little boy in A Christmas Carol, would proclaim, "God bless us every one!"

Winter Wonderland

Amazing! It snowed in Las Vegas today. My grandson, Michael, was even able to build a snowman. It is a rarity for snow here. It happens about once every five years. I was so delighted that I took a "jammie" day and stayed home. I made my "world famous" carmel corn and took time to ponder the blessings of the season.

I read Psalm 116 and echoed it's thoughts. "I love the Lord." Today was a Christmas type of day filled with peace and tranquility.

Speaking of tranquility, we had our Scheppmann Family holiday part yesterday. We played a holiday version of Pictionary. My sister-in-law pulled the word "tranquil" from the box. How do you draw that? She gave up.

I guess because of today's beauty, I would draw snow in Las Vegas and carmel corn.

A Weekend of Gifts

This past weekend, I spoke at Forest Home in California for a holiday retreat. Bless those poor women's hearts--I had laryngitis and I rasped my way through the entire weekend. But the wonderful thing about serving the Lord Jesus Christ is it not about me--it is about Him.

We celebrated His upcoming birthday and His gifts to us. He is our Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace and our Everlasting Father. We celebrated the gift of friendship. I am still celebrating my new friends.

Cyndie Sterner--who organized the entire event--Great job!

Mandie Pinto--who led us to the throne of God. Check out her website www.mandiepinto.com

Shawn Baker who used her talent of massage to help my sinus's clear up.

Quite a weekend! It blessed my Christmas stockings off!

Karen Ehman and The Twelve Days of Christmas

Hey blogger friends, if you're tired of shopping and would like to have gift for yourself hop on over to Karen Ehman's blog. She is doing a Twelve Days of Christmas giveaway. Her blog is http://www.karenehman.com/

I love giveaways! Thanks for hosting a fun Christmas blog event, Karen.

Cyber Shopping?

Tomorrow is Cyber-Monday. I have already decided on a few things to buy. I have to admit online shopping is my favorite way to shop. Lazy or too busy? Both.

However, my husband and I just made an emergency run to Target for a great deal. Everywhere I looked online didn't compare with the selection or the price. I can't disclose what we bought because "someone" might read this blog.

Anyway, I was just browsing through Amazon.com. Usually, their electric book, the Kindle, pops right up with an offer to purchase. It didn't pop up. So just snooping I looked it up. It's completely sold out with a waiting list and a note it will not be avaiable until after Christmas. Hmmmm. . .a very popular item. I have heard great things about it, but am doubtful I could make the switch from paper books to electronic books. I am curious to know if any of you have a Kindle and what your opinion is?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Have a great Cyber-Monday!

My Music Award to Joelle

My husband and I watched the Country Music Awards on Wednesday night. I am definately happy that Carrie Underwood won an award. She's beautiful and so was her song, "Just a Dream." She received a standing ovation.

Now I have my own standing ovation for Joelle. Joelle wrote a song in response to my Bible study, Perplexing Proverbs. Hop on over to my website www.susanneonline.com and listen to it. If you would like to contact Joelle she can be contacted at: www.myspace.com/roknjo She's one in a million and I am on my feet clapping for her. THANKS, Joelle!

Now here's my go at a country western lyric.
My dog ran away down the road. Then I cried tears as big as a toad.

OK, OK, I'll keep my day job and just write books and devotions.